Scotland forward Martin Leslie was the inspiration as Edinburgh Reivers delivered a blow to Bridgend's Welsh/Scottish League title hopes at Netherdale.

Leslie marked his return from injury with a brilliant all-round display which will also please national coach Ian McGeechan as he thinks ahead to the Six Nations Championship launch.

Reivers coach Frank Hadden said: "It was a good job well done - but Marty was the man who really made it happen.

"Not only was his own performance superb, but he brought out strong games in the guys around him. It was just great to have him back."

Ankle injury

Hadden was backed up by Bridgend skipper Huw Harries, who said: "Martin was the big difference between the sides.

He was absolutely outstanding both in attack and defence."

Harries left the field at half-time with a recurrence of an ankle injury, but he is hopefully to be fit to face Ebbw Vale next Wednesday.

Bridgend broke the deadlock during their first visit to enemy territory with a try by prop Lyn Mustoe, converted by Gareth Cull.

Duncan Hodge landed two penalties for Reivers before wing Cammy Murray claimed their first touchdown to make the score 11-7 at half-time.

Committed defence

The Scots maintained the initiative after the restart and stretched their lead almost immediately.

They refused to panic after being blocked out for several phases and with the defence committed it was left to Iain Fullarton to send Don Mackinnon over from 10 metres with a lightning-quick pass.

Bridgend recovered to set up another series of raids of their own and Cull kept his side in the picture with two penalties.

But lock Fullarton crashed over to clinch it for the home side, Hodge converting.

Scorers - Edinburgh:Tries: Murray, Fullarton, Mackinnon. Cons: Hodge. Pens: Hodge 2.

Bridgend: Try: Mustoe. Cons: Cull. Pens: Cull 2.

Teams - Edinburgh Reivers: Paterson, Murray, Di Rollo, Officer, Joiner, Hodge, Fairley, Jacobsen, Scott, Stewart, Fullarton, Metcalfe, Mackinnon, Sinclair, Leslie.

Bridgend: Cull, G. Jones, Devereux, Durston, D. Jones, Warlow, Harries, Griffiths, Ferris, Mustoe, Stephens, Clapham, Molitika, Ringer, van Rensburg.

Referee: J Hogg (SRFU)

Att: 750.